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Police Detonate Pressure Cooker Near Capitol

An apparent food vendor is arrested for driving on a revoked license.

American Idol winner Nick Fradiani performs at the 26th National Memorial Day Concert near the Capitol.

National Journal

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Rachel Roubein

May 25, 2015, 3:23 a.m.

Police detonated a pressure cooker left in a vehicle near the Capitol Sunday and arrested the car’s owner on a charge of driving on a revoked license.

A source familiar with the incident said that the man was apparently a food vendor, and Capitol Police Lt. Kimberly Schneider told the Associated Press that a subsequent “hand search” of his car ended with “with negative results and nothing hazardous found.”

Israel Shimeles of Alexandria, Virginia, was charged with “operating after revocation” and was processed at the Capitol Police headquarters, according to a Capitol Police press release.

At about 5 p.m. Sunday, Capitol Police officers patrolling the area noticed what they considered a suspicious car parked on the west side of 3rd Street between Jefferson and Madison Drive. An investigation revealed the pressure cooker and the smell of gasoline, police said.

Police established a security perimeter. The Capitol Police bomb squad investigated the car and, at about 7:45 p.m., detonated the pressure cooker.

While the House and Senate are both out, thousands of people were on the National Mall Sunday evening for an annual Memorial Day concert.

The Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Park Police, D.C. Fire and EMS, the Secret Service, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, and other federal agencies assisted in the investigation.